A rising star in the world of journalism, Grace Bentkowski, 22, was struck and killed by a train on July 25 at the Hegewisch South Shore station in Chicago.

Bentkowski, a creative producer for NewsNation, was on her way home from work when the tragic train accident occurred, shaking her family, colleagues, and the journalism community at large, as the New York Post reports.

Bentkowski was crossing the tracks at the station when she was struck by a departing train that did not sound its whistle, leaving her with fatal injuries.

She had just finished her workday and intended to do some shopping before returning to her home in Dyer, Indiana.

Details of Fatal Incident

The accident occurred as Bentkowski, along with a group of commuters, crossed the ground-level tracks at the station. She was heading towards the parking lot when the train, departing from the platform, struck her.

The impact of the train threw Bentkowski 50 feet, causing severe internal injuries that ultimately led to her death after hours of emergency surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

According to her father, Phil Bentkowski, the train did not make any noise before the collision. “From the video all you hear is a thud. Then the engineer blows a horn,” he said, expressing his shock at the tragic turn of events.

Family's Heartbreak and Advocacy

Bentkowski’s family was devastated by the news. Her father, upon being notified by police, rushed to the hospital with other family members, hoping for a miracle. However, Bentkowski was pronounced dead despite the medical team's efforts to save her.

Phil Bentkowski described the ordeal as a “worst nightmare ever,” noting that he had initially believed the accident would have caused less severe injuries, given the train's speed at departure. He emphasized that his daughter was not using her phone or wearing headphones at the time, dismissing any possibility of distractions.

In the wake of the accident, Bentkowski's family has begun advocating for improved safety measures at the Hegewisch South Shore station. They have called for the installation of “stop, look, listen” signs to prevent similar tragedies in the future. “It’s such a safety issue, this is 2024,” her father pointed out, questioning why such basic safety warnings were not already in place.

A Promising Career Cut Short

Bentkowski’s death has left a void not only in her family but also among her colleagues at NewsNation, where she had quickly made a name for herself. After interning at the network and covering local elections in Indiana, she was hired full-time just four months ago following her graduation from Ball State University.

Her grandmother, Maryann O’Neill, spoke of Bentkowski's lifelong passion for journalism, saying that she "knew what she wanted to do in life, and it was the news.” This passion was evident to those who worked with her. NewsNation released a statement describing Bentkowski as a “rising star” whose enthusiasm for journalism was contagious and whose work ethic was unmatched.

Community Support and Ongoing Investigation

The tragedy has also sparked a wave of support from the community. Bentkowski's brother, Adian, launched a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of her cremation and other expenses, raising over $27,000. In his message on the page, Adian highlighted the impact his sister had on the lives of those around her, stating, “She managed to make such a big impact at 22 years old, and I wish we could’ve had her here longer.”

As the family grieves, the South Shore train line has announced plans to add interim warning signs at the station and is consulting with an engineering firm to explore further safety improvements. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.

A Community Mourns Loss of Promising Life

The loss of Grace Bentkowski is a profound one, felt deeply by her family, friends, and colleagues. As they mourn, they are also channeling their grief into action, hoping to prevent such a tragedy from happening to others.

NewsNation, in their statement, emphasized the lasting impact Bentkowski had in her brief career, noting that “she brought light into any room in which she entered” and that she will not be forgotten by those who knew her.

In conclusion, the tragic accident that claimed the life of Grace Bentkowski has underscored the need for heightened safety measures at train stations.

Her family’s advocacy efforts aim to ensure that her death is not in vain, hoping that their push for change will protect others from a similar fate. As the community continues to rally around the Bentkowski family, her memory lives on through the work she accomplished and the love she shared with those around her.